Adventure Therapy

We offer two different adventure therapies— kayaking and ropes courses— to guests to promote physical wellness and encourage the development of regular exercise patterns. Adventure therapy is a goal-focused form of therapy that combines guests’ active involvement in their own treatment with the restorative power of nature and exercise. Exercise and physical activity are incredibly important in early recovery, as bodily wellness is often neglected in active substance use. The Mayo Clinic cites several benefits of exercise as a stress-reliever:

Increased production of endorphins

Improved mood

Promotion of meditative mindset

Studies by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the American Psychological Association (APA), and Harvard Medical School have found that exercise can reduce depression and improve cognitive function. Rigorous physical activity can also immediately reduce stress, as it raises cortisol levels in the body.

Guests’ optimal mental and physical wellness is our top priority at Royal Life Centers Because We Care, and we take care to incorporate this concern into our adventure therapy programming.

Kayaking

Kayaking may help with mental health disorders that co-occur with substance use disorder, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Group kayaking can help facilitate teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as increase self-efficacy, improve self-esteem, and promote guest independence.

Both our Pacific Northwest and Arizona Prescott Valley locations are ideal settings for a picturesque, serene kayaking experience that provides a mental, physical, and spiritual escape from the stress of the everyday.

Ropes courses

Royal Life Centers believes in the restorative power of group therapy to treat substance use disorder, and our ropes courses are a fun extension of traditional group therapy settings. Designed to encourage teamwork and cooperation, ropes courses allow guests to step outside their comfort zone and face personal obstacles.

Our ropes course facilitators teach guests how to use our harnesses, cables, and ropes in group and individual capacities. Participation in a ropes course gives guests the opportunity to explore— in a safe, supervised setting— personal limits, performance under pressure, and collaboration with others to achieve a common goal.